There Is A Huge Difference In Factoring Companies.

Here's How To Select The Best One For Your Business.

You might think that all factoring companies do the same thing- give you cash for your invoices. Well, that's true, but some companies actually go above and beyond to give you first class service.

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New to Factoring?

For those who aren't familiar with factoring, it is basically a fast way to get cash to run your business.

Factoring is Not a Loan

When you send your customers an invoice, they usually have 30 days to pay you back. Factoring companies will give you the bulk of the cash up front, sometimes within 24 hours, and collect the payments from your customers themselves. Once the invoices are paid in full, you’ll get the balance left over, minus a small fee.

Factoring Doesn't Require Debt

So how do you go about choosing the best factoring company?

Not all of them are created equal. Not all of them will give you the same level of service you need to help grow your business.

Everyone claims they have the simplest rate structure in the industry, no long-term contracts, same day funding, no up-front fees, no monthly minimums or maximums, etc., etc., etc.

We also offer these same benefits, but we GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR YOU that other factoring companies don’t.

Here’s Why We Are The Factoring Company You Need For Your Business

No other factoring company matches our level of superior service and offerings.

Financially Strong

We have been in business since 1979, are privately held, and have a proven track record of being financially strong. We have survived many economic downturns and in doing so, can help you through any difficult times you might encounter. We won’t go out of business when the times get tough, like some other factoring companies regretfully have in the past.

Part of a Vast Network

Every factoring company has a preference for size, industry, and risk. It’s impossible for you to know which company is the best fit for you. By contacting us, we can save you a tremendous amount of time by helping you find the best match for your business - whether it’s with us or another company.

We have a vast network of industry colleagues that we’ve built over 20+ years in the business. So, when you take the time to explain your needs to us, we can be the “one stop shop” to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

No Minimum

Most factoring companies will allow you to pick & choose customers to factor, however they usually have a minimum amount before they’ll work with you. With us, you can pick & choose what to factor on an invoice by invoice basis with no minimum.

Our factoring agreement is like carrying a credit card in your pocket. You carry it to use when you need it but don’t sign an agreement which will force you into factoring when you don’t need it.

Transparent Fees

Most factoring companies are not upfront about their fees. We are different. We are totally transparent about our fees. When you apply, you are provided a transparent, no obligation rate proposal with the fee for your company.

Our typical contract term is 90 days and we offer price breaks for extended term contracts as well as volume discounts. Optional services include $7/ACH for next-day funds sent electronically to your bank account or $12/wire for same-day funds. Invoices can be scanned and electronically uploaded directly to our secure server for $9/batch. In instances when original invoices are required, we offer discounted rates with Federal Express to submit your invoices.

That’s it! See which other factoring company, if any, will be totally up front with their fees before they try and get your business.

Higher Advance Rates

An “advance” rate is the percent of the invoice face value that you’ll receive upfront. Industry average advance rates are 70-90% of the face value of the invoice. So, for example, if your customer owes you $1,000, you should expect to receive an advance payment of $700 to $900 to your account. Our typical advance rates are higher than average - at 85-97% depending on industry and payment track record.

Personalized Solutions

We are not beholden to Wall Street investor money. We are a privately held company and don’t answer to investors or boards. We are like-minded entrepreneurs who understand what it takes to run a business. We take the time to hear your story, learn your struggles, and put together a solution for you rather than relying on an algorithm to determine your company’s value. Who do you want to rely on as a cash flow partner to fund your business?

Dedicated Account Administrators

Many factoring companies have either a lot of employee turnover, a complex voice mail system that you get lost in or operate call centers where you talk with a new representative every time you call in. We offer dedicated account administrators to be your point of contact – who knows your business intimately, and can help you in ways others just can’t.

Industry Veterans

We have been in business since 1979 and have staff who are dedicated to working in this industry as a career. We are veterans in this industry and can provide additional business guidance and resources as needed.

Our Business is Your Business

We establish a mutual risk tolerance to avoid putting you in the position to ever have to buy back an invoice. We also keep track of each invoice and follow them like your own credit and collections department would. Once they hit the payment date we place friendly reminder calls and/or emails on your behalf and keep notes as to when it is scheduled to be paid, and send copies if needed until payment is received.

Payment Trend Alerts

You will have access to online aging reports and your dedicated account administrator is kept in the loop and given advance notice of any collection issues so there are no surprises.

Up-to-Date Customer Credit History

You get direct online access to your customer’s business credit reports, or you can call and speak with your account administrator – your choice. Stay ahead of negative payment trends. This is critical to running your business and filling your next order.

Leading Edge Technology

We make strides to incorporate the latest technology to expedite the funding process, such as electronic submission of invoices, online reports, online credit checking and other emerging methods to streamline the process and reduce overhead, which means lower rates for you. Most other companies don’t even come close.

Financially Strong

We have been in business since 1979, are privately held, and have a proven track record of being financially strong. We have survived many economic downturns and in doing so, can help you through any difficult times you might encounter. We won’t go out of business when the times get tough, like some other factoring companies regretfully have in the past.

Part of a Vast Network

Every factoring company has a preference for size, industry, and risk. It’s impossible for you to know which company is the best fit for you. By contacting us, we can save you a tremendous amount of time by helping you find the best match for your business - whether it’s with us or another company.

We have a vast network of industry colleagues that we’ve built over 20+ years in the business. So, when you take the time to explain your needs to us, we can be the “one stop shop” to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

No Minimum

Most factoring companies will allow you to pick & choose customers to factor, however they usually have a minimum amount before they’ll work with you. With us, you can pick & choose what to factor on an invoice by invoice basis with no minimum.

Our factoring agreement is like carrying a credit card in your pocket. You carry it to use when you need it but don’t sign an agreement which will force you into factoring when you don’t need it.

Transparent Fees

Most factoring companies are not upfront about their fees. We are different. We are totally transparent about our fees. When you apply, you are provided a transparent, no obligation rate proposal with the fee for your company.

Our typical contract term is 90 days and we offer price breaks for extended term contracts as well as volume discounts. Optional services include $7/ACH for next-day funds sent electronically to your bank account or $12/wire for same-day funds. Invoices can be scanned and electronically uploaded directly to our secure server for $9/batch. In instances when original invoices are required, we offer discounted rates with Federal Express to submit your invoices.

That’s it! See which other factoring company, if any, will be totally up front with their fees before they try and get your business.

Higher Advance Rates

An “advance” rate is the percent of the invoice face value that you’ll receive upfront. Industry average advance rates are 70-90% of the face value of the invoice. So, for example, if your customer owes you $1,000, you should expect to receive an advance payment of $700 to $900 to your account. Our typical advance rates are higher than average - at 85-97% depending on industry and payment track record.

Personalized Solutions

We are not beholden to Wall Street investor money. We are a privately held company and don’t answer to investors or boards. We are like-minded entrepreneurs who understand what it takes to run a business. We take the time to hear your story, learn your struggles, and put together a solution for you rather than relying on an algorithm to determine your company’s value. Who do you want to rely on as a cash flow partner to fund your business?

Dedicated Account Administrators

Many factoring companies have either a lot of employee turnover, a complex voice mail system that you get lost in or operate call centers where you talk with a new representative every time you call in. We offer dedicated account administrators to be your point of contact – who knows your business intimately, and can help you in ways others just can’t.

Industry Veterans

We have been in business since 1979 and have staff who are dedicated to working in this industry as a career. We are veterans in this industry and can provide additional business guidance and resources as needed.

Our Business is Your Business

We establish a mutual risk tolerance to avoid putting you in the position to ever have to buy back an invoice. We also keep track of each invoice and follow them like your own credit and collections department would. Once they hit the payment date we place friendly reminder calls and/or emails on your behalf and keep notes as to when it is scheduled to be paid, and send copies if needed until payment is received.

Payment Trend Alerts

You will have access to online aging reports and your dedicated account administrator is kept in the loop and given advance notice of any collection issues so there are no surprises.

Up-to-Date Customer Credit History

You get direct online access to your customer’s business credit reports, or you can call and speak with your account administrator – your choice. Stay ahead of negative payment trends. This is critical to running your business and filling your next order.

Leading Edge Technology

We make strides to incorporate the latest technology to expedite the funding process, such as electronic submission of invoices, online reports, online credit checking and other emerging methods to streamline the process and reduce overhead, which means lower rates for you. Most other companies don’t even come close.

As you can see, we simply have more to offer you.

Other factoring companies don’t even compare.

And Not All Factoring Companies Can Say This:

More than half of our new business comes through client referrals.

So, Can Your Company Use Factoring?

Of Course! Companies of all sizes, from small privately-owned companies to large multi-national corporations, use factoring as a way to increase their cash flow. Factoring spans all industries, including trucking, transportation, manufacturing and distribution, textiles, oil and gas, staffing agencies and more.

Companies use the cash generated from factoring to pay for inventory, buy new equipment, add employees, expand operations—basically any expenses related to their business. Factoring allows a company to make quicker decisions and expand at a faster pace.

Unlike a bank loan, factoring has…

No principle or interest to pay over time

No debt to repay

Unlimited funding potential – no caps

Fast funding – no waiting months like at a bank

Approval is based on the strength of your clients, not your credit

Startups are welcome in using funding services

Some of the benefits you receive with factoring are:

Stop worrying about cash flow issues and start spending more time on your business.

No need to make monthly payments to repay a loan.

Receive money in as soon as two to four days – or sooner.

Reduce business costs associated with the collection process.

Win the battle against slow-paying clients.

Get instant credit evaluations for new customers.

Have complete control over your cash flow by deciding which invoices to sell and when.

Enjoy bulk-purchasing discounts or early payment discounts by having extra cash.

Improve your credit rating by having cash on hand to pay bills on time.

You get complete and detailed reports about your accounts receivable portfolio.

Provides cash for your expansion.

Provides cash for your marketing.

Improves your overall financial statement.

Stop worrying about cash flow issues and start spending more time on your business.

No need to make monthly payments to repay a loan.

Receive money in as soon as two to four days – or sooner.

Reduce business costs associated with the collection process.

Win the battle against slow-paying clients.

Get instant credit evaluations for new customers.

Have complete control over your cash flow by deciding which invoices to sell and when.

Enjoy bulk-purchasing discounts or early payment discounts by having extra cash.

Improve your credit rating by having cash on hand to pay bills on time.

You get complete and detailed reports about your accounts receivable portfolio.

Provides cash for your expansion.

Provides cash for your marketing.

Improves your overall financial statement.

Now you know everything you need about the factoring business.

And you know why we are the best fit for your business. We give you the first-class service your business deserves. Give us a call today and let us help you get the cash you need to operate your business effectively. But hurry! Every minute you wait is a lost opportunity.

Call us today and let us help you get the cash you need to operate your business effectively.

Billings is the largest city in the State of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area with a population of 165,361. It has a trade area of over half a million people.[6]Billings is located in the south central portion of the state and is the county seat of Yellowstone County, which had a 2013 population of 154,162. The 2013 Census estimates put the Billings population at 109,059 the only city in Montana to surpass 100,000 people.

The city is experiencing rapid growth and a strong economy; it has had and is continuing to have the largest growth of any city in Montana. Parts of the metro area are seeing hyper growth. From 2000 to 2010 Lockwood, an eastern suburb of the city, saw growth of 57.8% the largest growth rate of any community in Montana.[8] Billings has avoided the economic downturn that affected most of the nation 2008 2012 as well as avoiding the housing bust. With the Bakken oil play in eastern Montana and western North Dakota, the largest oil discovery in U.S. history, as well as the Heath shale oil play just north of Billings, the city's already rapid growth rate is escalating. Billings was nicknamed the Magic City because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in March 1882.

The city is named for Frederick H. Billings, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. With one of the largest trade areas in the United States, Billings is the trade and distribution center for most of Montana, Northern Wyoming, and western portions of North Dakota and South Dakota. Billings is also the retail destination for much of the same area. With more hotel accommodations than any area within a five state region, the city hosts a variety of conventions, concerts, sporting events, and other rallies. Area attractions include Pompey's Pillar, Pictograph Cave, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Zoo Montana, and Yellowstone Art Museum.

Within 100 miles are Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Red Lodge Mountain Resort, and the Beartooth Highway, which links Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park.The geographic location of Billings was essential to its economic success. Billings' future as a major trade and distribution center was basically assured from its founding as a railroad hub due to its geographic location. As Billings quickly became the region's economic hub it outgrew the other cities in the region.

The Billings trade area serves over a half million people. A major trade and distribution center, the city is home to many regional headquarters and corporate headquarters. With Montana having no sales tax, Billings is a retail destination for much of Wyoming, North and South Dakota as well as most of Montana. $1 out of every $7 spent on retail purchases in Montana is being spent in Billings.The percentage of wholesale business transactions done in Billings is even stronger, Billings accounts for more than a quarter of the wholesale business for the entire state, these figures do not include Billings portion of sales for Wyoming and the Dakotas.[68] Billings is an energy center; Billings sits amidst the largest coal reserves in the United States as well as large oil and natural gas fields.

Information for the state of Montana

Montana is a relative hub of beer microbrewing, ranking third in the nation in number of craft breweries per capita in 2011. There are significant industries for lumber and mineral extraction; the state's resources include gold, coal, silver, talc, and vermiculite. Tourism is also important to the economy with millions of visitors a year to Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, the Missouri River headwaters, the site of the Battle of Little Bighorn and three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park.

If you need capital right now or are looking to expand then factoring is the way to go.

The fact that there's no limit to the level of financing is the major advantage factoring has over traditional bank lending. As your company continues to grow, so too should the funding of invoices grow with you. -Billings Factoring Companies

DO YOUR RECEIVABLES TURN AS QUICKLY AS YOU WOULD LIKE

Billings Factoring Companies Articles

The Best Kept Secret in Financial Services: Freight Bill Factoring!

If you’re an existing owner of a trucking business, or perhaps you’re planning on starting a trucking business, then you may be interested in Freight Bill Factoring. Freight Bill Factoring helps trucking businesses, both large and small, achieve their overall business goals; but before making any final decision you must fully understand how Factoring works.

Freight Bill Factoring has become very popular with trucking businesses and is often referred to as the financial backbone of the trucking business. If you’re not familiar with Freight Bill Factoring, you may not know that factoring is a financing alternative for business owners: it gives them immediate access to additional financing capital they may otherwise not have access to. The process of Freight Bill Factoring is actually quite straightforward: it involves a factoring company purchasing bill of ladings at a discounted rate. This process is a win-win situation for both the trucking company who receives immediate funds and for the broker who pays for the invoices.

Freight Bill Factoring Is Not New!

Freight bill factoring is not a new idea; in fact, it has a long, rich tradition. Most civilizations that have engaged in commerce have also engaged in factoring in one form or another. For example, business relationships during the colonial period in North America were required to make cash payments in advance against Accounts Receivable in order for the business to continue with its commercial operations, prior to their users being paid for their goods. So, they were engaged in factoring!

Factoring Specialists Have Many Services to Offer

Of course, factoring has become a lot more sophisticated over the years, and today it’s focused on financial management, credit worthiness, and on collections. However, the basic concept of purchasing Accounts Receivable has stayed the same. In addition, the modern factoring company of today can do a lot more than just funding: a factoring specialist can assist clients by evaluating and setting credit limits, verifying customer’s credit worthiness, and professionally managing Accounts Receivable collections. Right across North America we see factoring companies existing in all forms and serving business sectors and industries of all types; and today, many large financial institutions even have their own factoring divisions. Generally, though, factoring companies are smaller, independently owned enterprises.

Banks Step Out as Factoring Steps In

Factoring has become very popular with trucking businesses because, as most business owners can verify, commercial lenders have become increasingly inflexible, with stricter regulations and ever-changing lending criteria. This inflexibility has forced both small and medium sized businesses to search for alternative financing sources, and this is where factoring has stepped in. Factoring is a simple, workable, solution-based process, providing an alternative for trucking businesses when traditional means of financing are not available. Factoring is proving to be a great financial remedy, particularly as banks and other lenders are becoming less friendly to small business owners.

Factoring Companies Operate Worldwide

The volume of factoring around the world has today exceeded the trillion-dollar mark! Factoring companies operate on every continent and, in the last four years, worldwide factoring transactions have increased by 60%. And that’s why we say that Freight Bill Factoring is the best kept secret in financial services!

If you need capital right now or are looking to expand then factoring is the way to go.

Billings Factoring Companies Articles

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About Invoice Factoring and How to Choose the Best Invoice Factoring Company for Your Business

Most people have heard of invoice factoring, but knowing exactly how it works and how to choose the right factoring company for your business can be difficult to ascertain. We've put together this brief guide to help you understand invoice factoring and to provide you with enough information to help you make the right choice for your business.Most business-to-business (B2B)companies find it very frustrating when forced to wait for customers to pay their accounts. When payment terms are over-extended, businesses of all sizes can find themselves dealing with cash flow problems. For some customers it's industry standard to offer long payment terms, but there are other customers who demand longer payment terms simply because they can. This is where invoice factoring steps in to assist businesses.

So, how does invoice factoring work? Invoice factoring is a method of keeping a business's cash flow steady without the business being forced to take on debt or sell equity.

In this article we'll look at how the factoring process works, the benefits it offers to businesses, and we'll also determine which businesses qualify for factoring.

Explaining Invoice FactoringInvoice factoring is when Accounts Receivable are purchased at a discount price. Today, invoice factoring is one of the most popular financing methods, helping thousands of businesses grow and expand. In fact, you may be interested to know that the history of the United States began with invoice factoring! Apparently, the Pilgrims used invoice factors in London to finance their voyage to Plymouth on the Mayflower. And once colonies had been established, invoice factoring remained a popular financing method among New World traders and merchants. So, as you can see, business owners have been using invoice factoring for thousands of years. Today, Invoice factoring is still considered the safest way of obtaining the funds a business needs to grow and expand.

Basically, invoice factoring converts a business's current unpaid invoices into immediate cash; solving cash flow problems caused by net payment terms of 30, 60, and even 90 days. Without reliable cash flow a business will fail to thrive because inevitably it will fall behind on rent or payroll and miss out on great opportunities to expand the business. Invoice factoring allows management to concentrate on growth by eliminating the frustrations of unpaid accounts.

The process of invoice financing is the selling of Accounts Receivable to a reputable factoring company. Invoices, which could well be outstanding for up to 4 months, are purchased by the factoring company for up to 98% of their face value.

The three participants involved in a factoring transaction include -

-The business who issues the invoice;

-The customer, or account debtor, who owes payment on the invoice; and

-The financing company, or factor, who purchases the invoice and provides immediate cash.

I've Heard Invoice Factoring Called Other Things - What Is the Proper Terminology?

It's true, the term Invoice Factoring is used interchangeably with other terms like AR Factoring, Accounts Receivable Financing, Receivables Financing, Invoice Financing, AR Financing, and Receivables Factoring; so just keep in mind that all these terms refer to the same type of funding.

How Invoice Factoring Works

Once a customer receives a product or service from a business, they receive an invoice. With invoice factoring, the business can now “sell” this invoice to their chosen factoring company. In return, the business will receive a cash advance, somewhere between 70% and 90% of the value of the invoice. Now that the business has cash in-hand they're free to cover payroll and rent, take on new work, buy new equipment, invest in new technology, and even be on the receiving end of early-pay discounts from suppliers. Once the invoice has been paid to the factoring company the business will receive the remainder of the funds, less the agreed-upon factoring fee, which is typically based on the value and term of the invoice.

Invoice factoring results in a win-win-win situation for all three parties: the business concerned receives immediate cash on the invoice submitted, the customer enjoys favorable payment terms, and the invoice factoring company earns their fee.

Comparing Invoice Factoring with Traditional Bank Financing

The difference between invoice factoring and bank financing is that invoice factoring is not a debt, and it's this fact most businesses find appealing. As a business, you sell your Accounts Receivable to the factor and you receive a cash advance – that's all there is to it. It's up to you what you do with the funds because no debt means no restrictions.

An added benefit of invoice factoring is that it's the credit quality of the business's customers that are evaluated, which suits not-yet profitable or early-stage businesses selling to the government or established companies, yet still trying to establish themselves. The factoring rate businesses pay factoring companies is much more attractive than alternative financing arrangements that don't take into account the credit worthiness of a business's customers.

Other benefits of invoice factoring include a quick and simple application process, a higher approval rate when compared with banks and other forms of financing, and a quicker time to funding. When it comes to the size of funding, factoring companies are very comparable with banks in-so-much-as they can fund up to $10 million credit lines. The streamlined approach to invoice factoring provides businesses with much needed cash in-hand so the business can grow and prosper, meet all its financial obligations in a timely manner, still have cash to invest in up-to-date equipment, source new and bigger clients, and receive discounts for bulk buys or early payment.

Applying for Invoice Factoring is a Relatively Simple Process

Most businesses are familiar with the stress of applying for a bank loan, but applying for invoice factoring is a very simple process: it takes less paperwork and certainly much less time, and is not as stressful as trying to raise equity. Invoice factoring involves a very simple application process, eliminating the stress and unnecessary hurdles placed on small businesses trying to access finance.

Because invoice factoring provides quick access to funding, businesses find themselves in a position to take advantage of great opportunities, like expansion and accepting large orders. For many businesses who have been denied access to bank finance, being accepted for invoice factoring allows the business to continue growing and expanding. Once you've been accepted for invoice factoring, the factoring company is basically underwriting your customers to the same extent that they're underwriting your business. Of course, another bonus is that funds received from factoring your invoices can increase your available bank credit.

As your chosen factoring company, we're here to help collect on your receivables, but only if you ask us to. Following your direction, our account managers will politely but firmly chase up outstanding invoices. If your decision is that you prefer we don't speak with your customers under any circumstances, we accept that too. Invoice payments are directed to a specific account created under your company's name.

How Much Cash Will I Receive Immediately?

The amount of cash you'll receive immediately is an agreed-upon percentage of the face value of your invoices. Industry advance rates typically vary from between 70% and 90% of the face value of an invoice, which means that if you're owed $10,000, depending on the agreed-upon advance rate, you can expect to receive an immediate payment of between $7,000 and $9,000.

The remaining amount of between $1,000 and $3,000, less the factoring company's fee, will be forwarded to you once your customer has paid their invoice.

How Much Do Invoice Factoring Companies Charge?

Depending on the face value of the invoice, factoring fees typically range from between 1% and 5% per month; however, our own factoring fees range from between 1% and 3% per month. Transparency is vitally important when considering factoring fees, and businesses should be aware that invoice factoring companies who make it difficult to determine their all-inclusive fees are companies to be avoided at all cost. This lack of transparency is designed to confuse customers and they use this confusion to their advantage.

If you're unsure about the information you've received on invoice factoring you must proceed very cautiously, or alternatively, try a different factoring company. The information you receive must be clear and concise, leaving no room for doubt or confusion on your part. Another aspect of invoice factoring that you should be aware of is that there are invoice factoring companies out there who advertise rates of 1% (and even lower)which may sound very attractive; however, they make up for these low fees with a range of hidden charges.

One sneaky way these companies attract customers is to charge a low monthly factoring fee, but you'll be charged for two months if the invoice should go over by just one day.We charge invoice factoring fees on a daily basis, which means that however many days outstanding the invoice may be, this number of days will be used to calculate the fee chargeable. By this we mean that you won't be charged an extra month of fees simply because your invoice was outstanding for 31 days instead of 30.

Please Explain How Invoice Factoring Can Help Grow My Business

Today, businesses are choosing invoice factoring over merchant cash advances or bank term loans simply because it's the lowest risk option there is. The fact is, the sale has been completed and the invoice confirmed, so the only thing remaining is for the customer to pay the invoice. Provided you have confidence that your customer will pay your invoice in a timely manner there's nothing to worry about. However, with a bank loan, monthly interest payments can devastate small businesses, start-ups, and even large businesses. And, with bank loans, they either amortize or the total amount is due at the end of a specific period. This kind of debt stress can be devastating for business owners, who are often placed in the position of deciding whether to make bank interest payments, pay rent, or make payroll.

With invoice factoring, because you receive cash in-hand for your invoices, there's no stress, and you're free to grow your business in whatever way you see fit. For many businesses the only negative has always been waiting to receive payment on invoices, so now there'll be no more waiting and you'll have cash in-hand to meet your own financial obligations.

What Kind of Businesses Qualify for Invoice Factoring

Fortunately, it's actually quite easy to apply for and be approved for invoice factoring. With banks and other lenders, profitability, annual revenue, and credit scores can be obstacles to being approved for finance, but these factors typically don't apply with invoice factoring companies.

There are three things that invoice factoring companies are usually looking for -

-The business must have government or other business customers;

-Business invoices must be unpledged to other loans and be due and payable within 90 days. This means that you can't have another loan where you're claiming the same invoice as collateral; however, if you do have another loan it must be subordinated (rank after)the invoice factoring company's claim to your accounts receivable;-There should be no history of serious legal or tax issues connected to your business. Note that some factoring companies use a “time in business” or minimum credit score to approve or deny applications; however, we do not.

How Can I Choose the Right Invoice Factoring Company for My Business?

You've made the decision that invoice factoring may be a good fit for your business, so what should you do next? There are so many invoice factoring companies out there to choose from, so how do you determine which one is the right fit for you? The answer to this question is – very carefully! You need to know exactly what you're looking for. To start with, you're looking for an invoice factoring company that offers more than just funding. There are many factors out there claiming to be the most technologically advanced, the fastest, and the easiest to use, but be cautious. You need to receive good customer service from your factor and be very wary of high fees. Some factoring companies are forced to charge higher fees in order to cover the losses they experience because they underwrite poor quality clients.

Excellent Customer Service is a Must!

It's very important that a good working relationship be established between the invoice factoring company and the business because, without it, businesses can be left confused as to why their credit facility has been reduced or why certain invoices have been rejected. Great customer service and a personal touch is vitally important when it comes to invoice factoring. If your questions are not being answered in an honest and open fashion, or your calls and emails are not being responded to in a timely manner, then find another factoring company.

Billings Factoring Companies Articles

Business Is Great, but Our Company’s Cash-Strapped!

There comes a time in the life of most businesses when cash flow becomes a problem, and it’s not just during difficult times that this occurs. There are so many different reasons why businesses may need an injection of cash, like sudden growth, or perhaps wanting to purchase new equipment or service bigger clients. Every business at one time or another will require urgent funding to sustain or grow their business.According to research, many small and medium-sized businesses are failing, certainly not due to lack of sales, but solely because they’re unable to meet their short-term financial obligations. Considering the time, money, and personal investment that goes into the creation of every business, the failure of a business to thrive has become a heartbreaking reality for many people. Why would a profitable and growing business find itself in financial trouble? The answer is very simple. When just one or more of your larger accounts hold off on paying their accounts for perhaps an additional 60 or 90 days, you’ve now got a cash flow problem.

Running Out of Funding Options?

When experiencing cash flow problems, business people typically depend on conventional lending sources for a corporate line-of-credit, and many find themselves applying for short-term bridging finance. And how many business owners admit to using their personal credit card to pay for business-related expenses? However, there are times when traditional methods of funding are no longer available, leaving the acquisition of extended financing a frustrating and sometimes impossible task.

Fortunately, there’s a viable alternative today, one which has been around for a long time but one that many businesses are not fully aware of. There’s now a way for businesses to avoid cash flow problems and continue growing their business from strength to strength, even during difficult times. Factoring, also known as Accounts Receivable Financing, Asset Based Lending (and various other terms) is an alternative form of financing, designed to help businesses through periods of expansion and business growth. Factoring has quickly become a very practical and workable financial solution for many businesses, and more and more we’re seeing businesses from different industries look towards factoring to resolve their cash flow problems.

How Does Freight Factoring Work for Trucking Companies?

Basically, a business with creditworthy accounts receivables can use factoring to receive an immediate injection of cash on those receivables. Factoring companies will typically say yes when a bank says no, thus providing a business with a much-needed cash injection. The process of factoring is actually quite simple. Your trucking company needs cash, and because you have quality accounts receivables your chosen factoring company will purchase any number of those receivables and immediately provide you with cash - anywhere up to 90% of the value of your invoices. Once your customer has paid the factoring company the total amount of your invoice, the remaining balance will be forwarded to you - less the agreed-upon fees.

A good factoring company will respond quickly to its trucking company clients and provide them with personalized and professional attention. With freight bill factoring, a trucking company will always have its cash needs satisfied with cash flow. It may be true that, when compared to other means of lending, factoring is more expensive, but borrowers report that the benefits they receive far outweigh the cost.

Freight Bill Factoring Is Not A Loan

Perhaps the greatest advantage of invoice factoring is the fast turnaround time because, unlike banks, there’s no loan approval process with factoring. This means that business owners of trucking companies can receive cash in-hand on the same working day! In order to be approved for freight factoring a trucking company must have creditworthy customers and have a good reputation; however, once approved for freight factoring the process of receiving funding is quite automatic. Cash advances will be made on the same day, and it’s important to note here that future financing is only limited by the value and number of receivables involved.

Freight Bill Factoring Is Very Popular with Trucking Companies

In the last decade many trucking companies have taking advantage of freight factoring, mostly because it’s a great alternative to bank financing. In fact, freight factoring is often recommended by trucking companies financial advisers or accountants. We know of many cases where freight bill factoring is solely responsible for trucking companies being able to accept and process orders from customers that otherwise would have declined due to a lack of financing. Freight bill factoring has saved many companies from severe financial crisis, and even bankruptcy.

It’s now very clear that freight bill factoring is playing a very important role in today’s business environment. This type of financing allows trucking companies to increase loads, expand their customer base, and even survive a seasonal slump. The truth is that freight bill factoring works, and it works well!

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Factoring: An Overview

What Is Factoring?

‘Factoring’ is when a third party commercial finance company purchases the Invoices or Accounts Receivable from a business. The finance company concerned is called a ‘Factor’ and the transaction is known as ‘Factoring’. Factoring is also known as ‘Accounts Receivable Financing’ because factoring occurs when a business needs to access cash quickly, quicker than if it had to wait the 30 to 60 days (or longer) to receive payment from a customer.

The majority of factoring companies purchase invoices and advance cash within 24 hours, although the terms and nature of factoring can differ between industries and different financial service providers. Depending on the industry, the customers’ credit histories, and various other criteria, the advance rate can range from between 80% and 95%. The business also receives back office support from the factor. Once the factor has collected from the business’s customers, the business will be paid the reserve balance of the invoices, less a nominated fee for assuming the collection risk.

The main benefit of factoring is that a business is not required to wait one or two months (sometimes more) for payment by a customer – the business will receive cash in hand to operate and grow their business. It’s important to note that factoring is not a loan: there’s no debt with factoring. Funding is unrestricted, which means that a business has more flexibility than borrowing from a bank.

The Five Simple Steps of Factoring

1. As a business, you provide a service to your customer;2. The invoice for this service is sent to a factoring company;3. On this invoice, you’ll receive a cash advance from the factoring company;4. It’s now up to the factoring company to collect full payment from your customer;5. Once payment has been received, you’ll receive the balance of your invoice account from the factoring company – minus their fee.The Advantages of Factoring

There are many reasons why factoring has become a popular and valuable financial tool for businesses today. The key benefit of factoring is that a business receives a quick boost to its cash flow: in fact, many factoring companies offer cash on their Accounts Receivable within 24 hours! The factoring company takes responsibility for collecting customer payments, and may also evaluate the payment and credit histories of a business’s customers.

Other Benefits Include:

• When a business needs access to cash, factoring can be customized and managed in order to provide the necessary capital;• The business balance sheet will not show this financing as a debt;• Factoring is not based on the company’s credit or business history: it’s based on the quality of its customers’ credit;• Factoring is not determined by the company’s net worth: it provides a Line of Credit based on sales;• There’s no limit to the amount of financing through factoring, unlike a conventional loan;• Factoring is an ideal solution for start up businesses that often require immediate cash flow.

Is the Concept of Factoring New?

No, it’s not! In fact, the origin of factoring comes from overseas trade among nations and dates back several centuries to the 1400s when it became part of doing business in England. In the year 1620 it arrived in America with the Pilgrims. Like other financial tools, factoring has improved and evolved over the years. It became an effective way of creating cash flow in the United States at a timewhen companies faced strict limitations when trying to secure loans in the country’s damaged banking system.

Who Uses Factoring?

Factoring is available for companies of all sizes, ranging from a one person business to Fortune 500 companies. Every business can use factoring as an effective way of increasing their cash flow. In addition, factoring spans all types of industries, from transportation, trucking, textiles, manufacturing and distribution, staffing agencies, and oil and gas.

The cash generated from factoring is used by companies to purchase new equipment, pay for inventory, expand operations, add employees, and basically cover any expenses related to the running of their business. The beauty of factoring is that it allows companies to make quick decisions and to expand at a faster pace.

How Does Factoring Work?

For the purpose of this post, we’ll describe a fictional example as a way of illustrating a common factoring situation.

XYZ Transport is a trucking company: their intention is to double their fleet size over the next two years in order to service more clients in the West. The company has just successfully won a new customer on the West Coast who requires freight to be shipped from Oklahoma to Los Angeles. This new customer is more than happy to pay for the service within 30 days; however, that won’t cover all the immediate costs involved, like payroll, fuel, and maintenance costs of running the route.

This is a familiar situation for the owners of XYZ Transport: the lack of available cash flow in the past has prevented the company from accepting new business. So now XYZ Transport has turned to a factoring company: they have agreed to sell the West Coast customer’s invoice to the factoring company in exchange for a 90% advance on the total amount – within 24 hours! This much needed influx of cash will replenish the trucking company’s reserves and allow it to continue running the Oklahoma – Los Angeles route. In addition, XYZ Transport now has the added flexibility of taking on new customers.

How Much Do Companies Factor?

Each company has its own unique business needs, so somecompanies only factor invoices for customers that are slow in paying, whilst other companies factor all of their invoices. Companies can factor receivables ranging from a few thousand dollars right through to millions of dollars each month.

What’s the Difference between Factoring and a Traditional Bank Loan?

Factoring, also known as Accounts Receivable Financing, is a quick, flexible and effective way for businesses to create a steady cash flow stream. See below for how factoring is different to a Line of Credit at a bank or a traditional business loan

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Important Points to Remember When Choosing Your Factoring Company

Now that you’ve decided that factoring would be a solid business decision for your company, the next step is to find the perfect factoring company for you. Once you start looking you’ll discover that there are many factoring companies (or ‘factors’) in the marketplace, and this is the perfect situation for you as a potential factoring client.

But it can also be confusing, because now you have to find the right factoring company to suit your business’s needs. To assist you in making the right decision we’ve listed below the main issues that should be considered when choosing a factoring company.

Factoring Fees and Terms

Before making your final decision and entering into a factoring agreement, check out the fees applicable and the terms of the contract. Both of these can vary a lot, depending on the factoring company and the industry it's serving. When you start your research you’ll discover that some factoring companies charge a flat fee: this fee is, in effect, a certain percentage of the total value of the customer invoices you sell to them; whilst others have additional charges to cover the general costs of doing business – such as, money transfers, shipping, collateral, and so on.

Ensure that the factoring company you’re considering working with is transparent and upfront with you about its fee structure. In addition, you may want to consider a long term contract with your factoring company if it includes flexible rates or a price break. If you’re receiving competitive offers from other factoring companies or you have increased factoring volume, you’ll discover that many factoring companies will be prepared to adjust their rates. A one year contract is the industry standard for most factoring agreements. Generally, unless you give your factor a 60 or 90 day notice, your factoring contract will automatically renew.

What’s the Difference between Recourse and Non Recourse Factoring?

It’s important that you understand the difference between recourse and non recourse factoring prior to choosing your factoring company, because you need to know what the best fit would be for your company and your customers. So, with non recourse factoring, all of the credit risks for the collection of the invoice belong to the factoring company; while recourse factoring means that, with you being the client, you’ll ultimately be responsible if the factoring company is unable to collect payment on your customers’ invoices.

There are benefits to recourse factoring, and perhaps the main benefit is that it’s less expensive than non recourse factoring. If you have a recourse agreement and the customer defaults on payment, it doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll be asked to settle the debt out of pocket. Generally, what happens is that the factor will hold back a portion of either future cash advances or payments being held in reserve, with the money being placed in an escrow account awaiting settlement of the debt.

Our suggestion is that you find a factoring company that offers both recourse and non recourse factoring, because not all of your customers will be good candidates for recourse factoring. An experienced factoring company working with a strong credit team can also behelpful in ensuring you’re working with good customers: this will relieve some of the pressure of being stuck with bad debt.

Experience and Capital: The Two PreRequisites

Your company should be looking for a factoring company with experience in your industry, including the capital structure to fund your business as it continues to grow. Once you start researching factoring companies you’ll discover that there are a lot to choose from; however, many of these are recent start ups with limited experience. Prior to signing any factoring agreement, do your research and look into the history and background of the factoring company concerned, especially its ability to provide financial services in your area of expertise.

The idea with factoring is that, as your company grows, the funding of your customer invoices will grow with you.Research the factoring company’s client base and their capital structure. What’s a typical account size? What’s the factoring volume of their largest client? Is the factoring company limited to how many debtors it can handle? In general, factoring companies that have been serving your industry for many years will usually be able to offer your business the best deal.

Additional Factoring Services

There are many more benefits to factoring than simply increasing your company’s cash flow. Because the factoring company will be handling the collection of your customer’s invoices, your company will be saving time and resources. A good factoring company will also be able to evaluate companies in your industry and provide credit information. In short, your factor will ensure that you experience excellent customer service. You’ll be matched with your own representative who’ll be able to address any questions or concerns you may have about your factoring account.

So, when researching factoring companies, look for a factor who not only offers additional products but provides a high level of customer service that will help your business grow by assisting you in making smart business decisions.

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The Difference between Accounts Receivable Financing and Factoring

Today, it’s not as easy for businesses to access finance as it was in past years, and more companies are being forced to look for alternative, non banking financing options in order to access the capital they require to help their business grow.

Two of the more popular tools available to cash strapped business owners are Accounts Receivable Financing (A/R Financing) and factoring. Some business owners believe these two are the same, but there are, in fact, some small yet significant differences.

What Is Factoring?

Factoring is when a commercial finance company, also known as a factor or factoring company, purchases a business’s outstanding accounts receivable. At that time, the factor will typically advance the business somewhere between 70% and 90% of the invoice’s value. Then, once the invoice is collected from the customer, the remaining balance – minus a factoring fee – is released to the business. The factoring fee could range from between 1.5% and 5.5%. It’s calculated on the total face value of the invoice and depends on how many days the funds are in use and other aspects, like the collection risk.

When a business has a factoring contract they can usually choose which invoices they want to sell to the factor: it’s not generally an all or nothing process. Once the factor has purchased an invoice they become responsible for managing the receivable until the account has been paid. Essentially, the factor becomes the business’s accounts receivable department and credit manager, analyzing credit reports, performing credit checks, mailing invoices, and documenting payments.

What Is Accounts Receivable Financing?

Accounts Receivable Financing is more similar to a traditional bank loan, however there are some key differences. Bank loans are secured with collateral; which might be real estate, the business owner’s personal assets, or plant and equipment; whereas Accounts Receivable Financing is backed by the business’s assets related to the Accounts Receivable. When a business has an Accounts Receivable financing agreement, a borrowing base is established at each draw against which the business is able to borrow money: this would typically be between 70% and 90% of the qualified receivables.

Between 1% and 2% is typically charged as a collateral management fee against the outstanding amount, and interest is only calculated as and when the money is advanced. An invoice must be less than 90 days old in order to count towards the borrowing base, and the finance company must deem the business credit worthy. There may also be other conditions to fulfil.

So, you can see that there are many similarities between Accounts Receivable financing and factoring; however, one is the sale of an asset (receivables or invoices) to a third party, while the other is actually a loan. In many ways, though, they do act similarly. Below we’ve listed the main features of each so you can determine which would be the best fit for your company.

Accounts Receivable Financing

• Generally, Accounts Receivable Financing is not as expensive as factoring;• It can be easier to move from this type of financing to a traditional bank line of credit once a business becomes bankable again;• Typically, a minimum of $75,000 per month is required in sales to qualify, so this type of financing may not be available to small companies;• Due to the fact that the business will be required to submit all of its Accounts Receivable to the finance company, this type of financing can be less flexible than factoring.

Factoring

• It’s quite easy to qualify for factoring, and factoring is the ideal solution for start ups and financially challenged companies;• Because businesses can decide which invoices they want to sell to the factor, factoring offers more flexibility than Accounts Receivable Financing;• The company is able to track total costs on an invoice by invoice basis because factoring has a simple and straightforward fee structure.

In Conclusion

Today we see both Accounts Receivable Financing and factoring as traditional sources of financing; effective when traditional bank financing is not an option. Factoring can carry a business through a period when an immediate cash input is required.

Somewhere between 12 and 24 months most companies are generally able to repair their financial situation and once again become bankable. However, some companies in certain industries continue factoring their invoices indefinitely.An example of this is the trucking industry, which relies heavily on factoring for cash flow injections.

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About Invoice Factoring

Perhaps you’ve heard about Invoice Factoring but you’re not sure how it works or how it might help your business. The purpose of this post is to provide a clear explanation of what Invoice Factoring is and how it works.Basically, Invoice Factoring is a viable alternative to traditional financing methods, providing your company with fast access to working capital. There’s no large debt to repay and there are no strings attached. It probably sounds too good to be true, but we can assure you it’s not! Invoice Factoring has become a lifesaver to many businesses, so let’s go into this a little further to see how Invoice Factoring might help your business go from just so-so to really great!

How Invoice Factoring Works

A very brief definition of invoice factoring is that it converts your open invoices into immediate cash, which of course sounds perfect if you’re experiencing a cash flow problem. Factoring saves you from having to wait the 60 or 90 days (sometimes even more) for payment by your customers. With invoice factoring you have the flexibility to factor whichever invoices you want and however many invoices you need, to ensure you have enough cash on hand to grow your business.

The following is a short description of how the process works –

Once you and your chosen factoring company have reached an agreement and set up your account, you’re now free to begin submitting copies of your unpaid invoices to the factoring company. These invoices must be for products that have been delivered or for work that’s been completed. With invoice factoring you simply continue invoicing your customers as usual, then fax or email a copy of the invoice directly to your factoring company.

Now here’s the good part! You’ll receive a cash advance within 24 hours! Once the factor has verified your invoices, a deposit of as much as 95% of the value of the invoices will be deposited directly into your bank account.

You continue working as per usual, and the factoring company works to collect on your accounts. It’s now your factor’s responsibility to engage in the active collection of these accounts, thus allowing you more time to focus on the big stuff, like providing your customers with excellent service and continuing to grow your business.

As a customer of the factoring company you can repeat this process with as many different clients as you want and as many times as you want. You may choose to factor all of your clients, or just the clients that are known for being slow-paying clients. The choice is yours!

The Benefits of Invoice Factoring

Once you’re working with an invoice factoring company you’ll have control over your cash flow, and more importantly, you’ll have a working relationship with your factor that will help your business grow in lots more ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways a factoring company can help you grow your business –Credit Checks and Background Verification

It’s important to all businesses that they work with honest, reliable customers; customers who have a solid payment history. Sales must be turned into revenue as quickly as possible. However, we know that credit checks and background verifications can be very expensive and these costs very quickly eat away at your working capital. Now, it will be your invoice factoring company who provides these checks for you, at no additional charge. This means that any issues will be addressed before they affect your business, thus ensuring that you’re working with top-quality customers.

Credit Repair and Credit Building

Even if your business credit is less than perfect, you can still apply for a competitive invoice factoring program. The benefit of this to the business owner is that, not only will factoring your open invoices cover your daily operating costs, it will also help pay down any current debt in order to rebuild your credit rating. The good news is that start-ups also qualify for invoice factoring so, if you’re just getting your business off the ground, factoring is the ideal financing alternative to help you hit the ground running.

Other Money Saving Opportunities

Invoice factoring can certainly save your company money, and it’s not only with competitive rates. By negotiating with your suppliers for early-pay discounts or other payment incentives, you’ll soon discover new ways of putting your rejuvenated cash flow to good use. And don’t forget that, depending on how much you factor, you could well qualify for a volume discount, and this will further reduce your rates.

Steady and Consistent Cash Flow

When you begin factoring your invoices you’ll be able to regain complete control of your working capital. Whether you’re simply tired of waiting up to 90 days for money that’s owed to you, or perhaps your business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, either way, invoice factoring is the ideal method for regulating your cash flow.

Now You Can Start Dreaming Big!

You may have become used to business being steady, but with invoice factoring you’ll have the opportunity for business growth in many new ways .

o You’ll be able to attract larger clients, with better contracts;o Increased business marketing efforts; o New technology investments, or upgrades; o The ability to employ more staff; o Training and further education programs for existing staff; o Relocation of your business, or site expansion.

Finally, No More Debt!

One of the most attractive things about invoice factoring is that it’s not like a traditional loan: it won’t add additional debt to your balance sheet. In fact, it’s actually the opposite; because Invoice Factoring provides you with the extra cash you need to be able to settle old debts. With factoring, it’s already your money so there’s no money to pay back and no interest to pay. All factoring does is help you get your money into your bank account - quicker!

Why Haven’t I Heard of Invoice Factoring Before?

This is a question a lot of business owners ask. Invoice factoring certainly isn’t new, but maybe it’s just been overshadowed in the past by bank loans and other types of business investments. The fact is that factoring goes right back to the days of the Roman Empire, where factors assisted businessmen (usually farmers) in growing their business. Then, later, it was used in the textile and clothing industry to help pay for raw materials, to finance transactions, and accept larger purchase orders. Today, invoice factoring is used by many different types of industries, such as:

Don’t be discouraged because you don’t understand factoring terminology. See below for an explanation of general factoring terms :

• Account Debtor: An account debt or is your customer.

• Accounts Receivable Ageing Report: This is the name given to a report which shows the financial figure of unpaid receivables, in addition to how long they’ve remained unpaid.

• Accounts Receivable Factoring; also known as Invoice Factoring: These two terms can be used interchangeably because they mean exactly the same thing.

• Discount Rate: This refers to the percentage of the invoice charged by the factor as a fee for advancing funds.

• Due Diligence: This refers to the background research carried out by the factor to determine potential customers.

• Factoring Advance Rate: This rate is a percentage of the invoice that’s advanced within 24 hours to the client – this figure is generally between 80 and 95% of the total amount of the invoice.

• Factoring Broker: A factoring broker is a third party whose position is to connect business owners with appropriate factoring companies in order to meet the business’s goals and needs.

• Lien: The right to retain possession of property until a debt has been discharged.

• Non-Recourse Funding: Most businesses have experienced customers who fail to pay their invoices within the agreed payment terms, or worse, the invoice is never paid at all! Non-Recourse Funding is when the factor assumes all responsibility for unpaid invoices. Because the factoring company is accepting the risk, Non-Recourse Funding is more expensive than Recourse Funding.

• Recourse Funding: With Recourse Funding, your company must buy back the receivables if your client fails to pay within the agreed payment terms.

• Reserve: This is the amount of the Accounts Receivable retained by the factor until such time as full payment has been made by the customer.

• Spot Factoring: This refers to a one-off agreement that offers staffing companies the ability to factor just one single invoice.

Your Customers, and Factoring

It’s important that we point out here that factoring is not a negative thing, and your factoring company is definitely not a collections agency. In fact, it’s important to your factoring company that they maintain good relationships with both you and your customers, and it’s their aim to provide the best customer service possible. It’s in your factoring company’s best interests that the factoring process works as smoothly as possible.

The following will give you a general idea of how factoring works :

• Once you’ve made the decision to start invoice factoring, your dedicated account manager will start by verifying that your debtors are indeed customers, in addition to advising them of your new remittance address. It’s important to remember that it makes no difference to your clients where they send their payment: they know their invoice must be paid, so this is simply a change of address for payments.

• Your factoring account manager will be very experienced and will assure your clients that they’ll be well taken care of, and that the factoring company will be managing your invoices in future by taking over your accounts receivable. And that’s all there is to it! Nothing will change between your company and your customers: you’ll still invoice them as usual, and they’ll simply forward their payment to a new Post Office box. Your account manager will be available to help if any problems should arise.

What You Should Look For in a Factoring Company

Once you start doing your own research you’ll discover that there are many factoring companies out there, but they’re definitely not all equal. The following are points to consider when comparing factoring companies:

• Fees As we’ve explained, factoring is a little more expensive than a traditional bank loan, but some small businesses don’t qualify for a bank loan, so being able to achieve some working capital is better than none at all. Do your research, and make sure you understand the overall cost of factoring, in addition to the extra smaller fees that may be charged by your factor. These extra fees may include account set-up fees, application fees, credit reports, costs to research any liens, charges for last-minute funding, or for money transfers. Not all factors charge these extra fees, and not all factors have hidden fees, which means that it’s very important that you choose a factor you’re comfortable with and one that you can trust.

• Flexibility This is a very important aspect of factoring, and one we can’t stress enough. Make sure you very carefully read the fine print of your factoring contract! If you start working with a factoring company and then realize that you’re locked into terms that don’t suit your own particular circumstances, you’re going to be extremely unhappy. These unsatisfactory terms might include how much you’re able to factor each month, or being tied to a specific factoring company for the life of your business. If you sign up for a long-term contract, then change your mind, it’s going to be a very expensive exercise trying to get out of the contract. Don’t let this happen to you! Be very clear on how much you can factor each month, which clients are eligible for factoring, and how long you’re signing up for.

• Communication At one point or another we’ve all had to deal with a business with poor communication skills, and we probably all agree that it’s extremely frustrating. So, imagine a business with poor communication skills that’s also handling your money! Naturally, when it comes to your business and your money, you need someone that’s going to immediately respond to your inquiries. All factoring companies are going to say their customer service is second-to-none, but be very cautious here. Pay close attention to when and how your potential factoring company responds to your calls and emails, because this is how they’ll be responding to your customers. If you’re not 100% happy then move on to another factoring company, because there are certainly plenty to choose from!

• Industry Expertise Remember that there are many factoring companies out there servicing many industries, so you should be looking for one that services your own industry. Ideally, you’ll choose a factoring company that specializes in your niche, which means that they’ll already understand a lot about your business. The bonus of using a factoring company with industry expertise is that they may also offer programs specific to your industry, such as fuel cards and back-office support. It’s these extras that may prove very beneficial when making your final decision on a factoring company.

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Medical and Healthcare Factoring

Receive Payment Today! No Waiting Weeks for Reimbursement!

It's certainly no secret that Medicaid, Medicare, HMOs, Workers' Compensation, and other private insurers can take a LONG time to pay your invoices! But now there's good news for healthcare professionals! Now you don't have to wait weeks, sometimes months, to collect on your medical receivables. If you're a healthcare professional and you provide medical or healthcare-related services of any type, we're here to help you!

The Difference between Healthcare Factoring and Medical Factoring

Healthcare factoring and medical factoring are phrases that are often used interchangeably, probably understandably, but there is a difference between these two. The difference is that healthcare factoring applies when there's no third party payer involved, while a medical factoring company is used when there is a third-party payer involved.

Healthcare Factoring and Medical Receivables Factoring are available for the following healthcare providers -

Generally, healthcare receivables are associated with customers who are not third-party payers. Some common healthcare sectors include medical staffing companies, medical transcription services, medical billing and coding services, and medical supply companies. When these vendors utilize healthcare factoring they're free to enjoy the benefits of an almost unlimited line of credit - all based on the services they've provided. A simple explanation of factoring healthcare receivables is as follows-

- When work has been completed, the healthcare vendor will invoice their customer. - These customers may include nursing homes, hospitals, medical offices, and so on. - Next, the vendor will forward a copy of the billing documentation to the healthcare factoring company. - Within 24 hours, sometimes even less, the factoring company will deposit money into the vendors bank account. The amount deposited will generally be around 85% of the gross value of the invoice. - The factoring company handles collections on behalf of the vendor, and will retain 15% while awaiting payment. - Once the invoice has been paid in full, the factor will release the 15% - less their factoring fee - back to the vendor.

Medical Receivables Factoring

- Regardless of whether you're billing Medicaid, Medicare, HMOs, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, or third-party insurance companies, we have the perfect factoring solution for you. When you start factoring your medical claims you'll achieve instant benefits by receiving upfront capital; while the factor may have to wait months for your customers to settle their accounts. A simple explanation of factoring medical claims is as follows-

- The healthcare provider submits claims to the third-party payer, as usual. - A copy of completed paperwork is then submitted to the factoring company. - Within 24 hours, sometimes even less, the factoring company will deposit money directly into the medical provider's bank account: the amount deposited will typically be around 85% of the net collectable value. - Once the claim has been paid in full by the third-party payer, the factoring company will release the remaining 15% - less their factoring fee.

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The Advantages of Trucking Factoring for Trucking Companies

Around the country, many owners of small trucking companies are running into the same problems when trying to expand their business. While the trucking business can be quite lucrative, it can take many weeks or even months to finally get paid on hauling invoices. This puts trucking companies in a real bind by having to play catch-up while trying to pay bills and salaries of their drivers.

We caught up with Jason Kind, an owner of a small trucking business that he created just a few years ago. Like many trucking owners, Jason was trying to expand his company to meet the needs of his clients, but was running into money issues that were holding him back. We asked him about his situation, the challenges he faced and how Trucking factoring played a real role in helping his company to expand without being burdened by paying back high interest loans.

Jason, it’s good to have you with us.

Jason Kind: “Thanks, I appreciate being here.”

Tell me a little about your trucking company and how it got started.

JK: “I had been driving trucks for years when in 2011 I decided to start my own trucking business. I went through the loan process, purchased a couple of trucks and got started. At first, it was really exciting because I had made a few connections as a driver and I picked up some early business. It seemed like everything was starting to snowball as I was getting requests from other businesses, but I was running into a cash problem.”

It seems rather strange that being successful was causing you to be short on cash?

JK: “I know. You see in the trucking business we charge invoices which means that it could take weeks or even months before the cash would roll in. A typical invoice takes anywhere from 45 to 60 days before the payment comes through. Here I was getting offers from other businesses and I didn’t have the cash on hand to buy trucks and hire drivers.”

So, what did you do?

JK: I’ll admit I was at my wit’s end because I thought by the time I had the cash to expand that the interest would dry up first. I didn’t want to take out another loan because I would just be putting off that debt until later and I had nothing to sell or any additional way to make more money. It was around that time when I heard from one of my friends in the trucking business about Trucking factoring.”

What exactly is Trucking factoring?

JK: “Well, Trucking factoring is a way for trucking companies like mine to get paid quickly for the loads we are hauling. Instead of having to wait weeks or even months sometimes to get paid for hauling, Trucking factoring lets us get money right away for the work that we’ve done.”

How does Trucking factoring work?

JK: “Well, there are companies out there who are willing to purchase the invoices that trucking companies like mine get when we perform a job. I managed to find a good, reputable company that actually purchases the invoices we get after performing a job along with other bills that we charge in our business. In return, they pay us cash that I not only use to cover my payroll, fuel costs and expenses, but I was able to put back enough money to purchase another truck a lot more quickly than if I had simply waited for the invoices to be paid.”

It seems like you stumbled on a pretty good deal when it comes to Trucking factoring. Are there any other benefits that you’ve enjoyed by using this service?

JK: You bet, because the invoices act as the means to pay the company. It is not a loan where I have to pay back any money. The Trucking factoring company simply takes a very small percentage off each invoice or bill as their fee and I get the rest in cash right away. It’s really worked out for me because not only was I able to get the cash needed to expand my business I was able to pay off my original loan a lot more quickly as well.

In fact, I was able to leap onto new business offers more quickly because the Trucking factoring allowed me to start purchasing new trucks and hire drivers months before I could even consider doing that simply waiting on the invoices.

This Trucking factoring sounds almost too good to be true, surely there must be a catch somewhere?

JK: I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but it’s all pretty straightforward. The Trucking factoring company I use didn’t even charge me a sign up fee nor did they sign me to any long term contract. I just took a few minutes with them to set everything up and when I turn in an invoice, they pay me cash right on the spot.

You said you didn’t have to sign any long term contracts. Are there a minimum number of invoices or amounts that you have to turn in each month?

JK: Actually, no. When I first started with them I was turning in practically all of my invoices so I could generate some cash up front. Now, when I need some cash to pay off bills or make quick purchases, I go to the company with my invoices. Some months I’ve turned in quite a few invoices, other months not so much.

It really sounds like you found a great deal in Trucking factoring?

JK: You bet. I have even used their fuel advances and discount cards to help me save money which really helped out in the first year of my business. I’ve had other trucking owners call me up and ask me how I was able to expand my company as fast as I did. I tell them all the same thing, if you have invoices, then Trucking factoring is the way to get fast cash without having to take out loans or put yourself in a deeper hole.

Jason’s business continues to grow and Trucking factoring was a big reason why he was able to expand so rapidly. If your trucking business is short of needed cash with invoices that have yet to be paid, then you should consider Trucking factoring as a way to put money into your hands right away.

Billings Factoring Companies Articles

Oil Well Cleaning Owner Interview

The oilfield services industry is certainly a booming one these days thanks to a renewed emphasis on searching and drilling for oil on private and state properties. One of the more profitable ventures in this field is not the drilling for oil, but the cleaning of oil and gas wells to keep them operating at full efficiency. Oil and gas drilling is a dirty business and wells will quickly become clogged even with regular maintenance.

Jeffrey Fielding is the owner of an oil well cleaning company who works with several drilling companies in providing cleaning and maintenance of oil wells. Over the past couple of years, Jeffrey has managed to grow his business considerably thanks in large part to his perseverance and determination. However, things were really tight when Jeffrey first started up his company and at one point he was faced with a dilemma that he didn’t know how to overcome.

The following interview with Jeffrey tells how he managed to expand his company at a crucial time thanks to oilfield services factoring. If it wasn’t for the presence of factoring companies that worked in his field, Jeffrey might be in a completely different business today.

“Hello, Jeffrey. It’s good to talk with you and I’m glad you were able to spare the time to share your story with us.”

Jeffrey Fielding: “Thanks, I’m glad to be here.”

“Jeffrey, tell us a little about how you got into the oil well cleaning business first as it’s something our listeners may not be fully aware of.”

JF: “No problem, I’ll start at the beginning. About ten years ago I joined an oil well crew as a roughneck, working my way up through the business. It was hard work and our crew was usually out in the middle of nowhere, but the money was good and the opportunities kept building for me. I quickly learned the job and was hired by a number of drillers to work their rigs over the next few years during the boom in the oil industry.”

“Right from the beginning, I took notice the oil well cleaning crews that would work each rig and started talking to the guys who were a part of that business. After a few years it became clear to me that oil well cleaning was really where it was at ‘cause the work was really steady and the money was just as good, if not better than what I was making. So, with the money I had saved up along with a couple of partners I opened up an oil well cleaning company of my own.”

“It certainly sounds like you struck gold so to speak. So tell us how your business started.”

JF: “It was pretty straightforward as we got our business loan, purchased the equipment and hired a couple of experienced people to help us clean oil wells. We had some pretty good connections and the orders started to pile in, but then we ran into a problem that none of us could even dream of happening. We became victims of our own success.”

“I don’t think I quite understand, could you explain just how that happened?”

JF: “Sure, about six months in we suddenly got new drillers who wanted to use our services, but we didn’t have the money to expand. We get paid by invoice which can take up to 60 days to see the cash which meant that we trying to pay down our loan, the payroll and the equipment, fuel and other costs and didn’t have enough cash on hand to expand. We knew that if we didn’t hire new people and buy new equipment that we would miss out on a golden opportunity. However, one of my friends told me about oilfield services factoring companies that could help us out.”

“What are factoring companies?”

JF: “Basically, a factoring company will buy the invoice and get us the cash immediately. We had good credit and our invoices were certainly good as well. By using their services, we were able to get the cash in our hands quickly and pay for new equipment to then expand our business efforts.”

“It certainly sounds like the factoring companies saved the day for you, but just how do they work?”

JF: “Well, it was a pretty simple process. We just filled out a few forms with the information that they requested and then we sold the invoices we had already collected, but had not collected to the factoring company. We got the cash we needed immediately and they collected the invoice.”

“It certainly sounds pretty straightforward, but why didn’t you just get another loan?”

JF: “My partners and I went over that and another loan would just be too big a burden. We were already paying off our old loan which was considerable and didn’t want to have more debt hanging over our company. By going with the oilfield factoring companies, we didn’t owe anyone, anything. We just collected the money that we were owed a lot more quickly.”

“So, how is business now?”

JF: “It’s better than ever. By using a factoring company I was able to buy new tubing, cleaning fluids, a new vehicle and other equipment that let us take on the new orders. We were able to expand the business quite a bit and our reputation is such that we work with several drilling companies.”

“It sounds like a dream come true.”

JF: “It really does, but I don’t know what we would have done if factoring companies didn’t exist. We still use them when we need cash for new equipment or products to do our job. It’s quick, safe and brings us the money we need to continue our business.”Jeffrey’s company really benefitted from using oilfield factoring companies that served his industry. There are factoring companies for other types of businesses as well that can take invoices and turn them into quick cash for businesses that need to expand. For Jeffrey and many other small business owners, factoring companies can make the difference in the success of your efforts.

Billings Factoring Companies Articles

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The Basics of Trucking Factoring

Whether you’re the owner of a 50-truck fleet or an independent owner/operator, we all know that controlling your cash flow is vitally important to growing your business. Perhaps like many business owners you’ve become pretty clever at making creative use of your credit cards, because it’s certainly preferable to going to your banker and begging for a business Line of Credit! Fortunately, there is another viable option for owner-operator businesses and small trucking fleets. The answer to the age-old cash flow problem is Freight Bill Factoring!

If Freight Bill Factoring is an unfamiliar term to you, then here’s a brief explanation:

Freight Bill Factoring is the simple process of assigning your unpaid freight invoices to a third-party company (factoring company) for an amount that’s less than you would receive if you were to bill your customer direct. The bonus of Freight Bill Factoring is that it enables you to get paid almost immediately upon completion of a run, thus giving you access to much-needed cash required for the day-to-day running of your business operations.

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how Freight Bill Factoring, or Trucking Factoring, works :

Once you’ve booked a load, you immediately email or fax details about the load, your customer, and your rate confirmation to the factoring company; The factoring company will quickly respond by advising if that particular customer has been approved for load factoring; You pull the load; When the load has been delivered, you email or fax your load-related documents, including the Bills of Lading, to the factoring company; Within 24 hours the factoring company will make a direct deposit into your Comdata account or your bank account for the amount of approved charges: this could be anywhere between 60 and 90% of your billing; Once the invoice has been paid by your customer, you’ll receive the balance. It’s true that Freight Bill Factoring is not for everyone, but it is an ideal way of accessing the cash you need to provide stability to your trucking business and keep your wheels turning whilst you wait for your customers to pay their accounts.

Obviously, the best option for any business is to invoice your customers directly and wait to receive payment, but unfortunately many customers are painfully slow when it comes to paying their invoices. If you’re experiencing a cash flow problem, then working with a factoring company could well provide the financial cushion you need to keep your trucks on the road. It’s up to you to do your own research and determine whether factoring makes sense for your business. We trust that the information we’re providing here will provide you with enough knowledge to help you make a wise decision.

The Cost of Freight Bill Factoring

As explained above, there’s a cost involved with Freight Bill Factoring, and it’s up to you as the business owner to determine whether it’s worth the cost. The cost of Trucking Factoring can vary from as little as 1.5% up to around 5% of the line haul revenue.

You also need to be aware that there could be a number of fees, charges, and other expenses if you employ the services of a Freight Bill Factoring company. Generally, when you’ve assigned your Bills of Lading to a Trucking Factoring company, you’ll receive an immediate advance of between 60 and 90% of the anticipated revenue: of course, this figure will depend upon the factoring company you use. Once your customer has paid their invoice, the balance will be remitted to you.

It’s also important to note that all Freight Factoring companies are not equal, so here are some key questions a business owner should ask when considering hiring the services of a Trucking Factoring company:

Recourse or Non-Recourse: Which Freight Factoring Service Do You Provide?

You may not be familiar with these terms, but you need to be, because the ramifications of not understanding these terms could seriously affect the profitability of your business.

Recourse Factoring means that, should your customer fail to pay the factoring company, the factoring service can come back to you for reimbursement; while

Non-Recourse Factoring means that you have your money whether the invoice does or doesn’t get paid.

Will You Bill My Customer for All Future Loads or Can Factoring Be Done on a Load-by-Load Basis?

Let’s say you have a temporary cash shortfall problem that you’re trying to resolve by hiring the services of a Freight Factoring company: many businesses require that the factor handle all future collections owed to you by that specific customer. However, depending upon the customer, this may not be the path you wish to take. You should be aware, though, that some factoring companies are very rigid with this requirement.

There are Freight Bill Factoring services out there that allow you to choose on a load-by-load basis as to whether you’d like them to handle the collection on your behalf or whether you prefer to deal with the process of billing and payments yourself. And these services generally let you decide whether you want to receive payment when the invoice is actually paid or whether you want immediate payment. This can be very useful for small businesses because it can save a lot of time by allowing you to use the Freight Factoring service as a kind of de-facto billing service.

Is There a Price Difference If the Factoring Company Bills a Customer for All Loads Pulled?

Some Freight Factoring companies require that all billings originate through them, while others allow you to decide on an invoice-by-invoice basis whether you want the factoring company to do it, or whether you’d prefer to bill your customer yourself. If you choose to use their services on a spot-usage basis and choose not to have a certain invoice factored, you’ll probably still have to pay the $15-$20 billing charge. You’d then receive payment once the customer has settled their account.

Are Extra Fees Payable for Additional Services?

It’s not usual for a freight factoring company to automatically pay your customer’s invoices: they need assurance that your customer is a reliable, good-paying customer, so they’ll typically require a credit check to ensure they’ll be paid. Most Freight Factoring companies will arrange for a customer’s credit check on your behalf, and this credit check could incur a nominal fee. On the other hand, there are factoring companies out there that are happy to provide you with access to a list of customers that are already pre-approved – these are companies that currently meet the factor’s credit requirements. This can be very useful information to a trucking company, particularly if you need to know the credit rating of a prospective customer prior to booking a load.

How Much of the Freight Bill Do You Advance; and Do You Require a Deposit?

It’s very rare that a Freight Factoring service will advance 100% of your freight invoice, and that’s just one of the reasons why it’s imperative that you take the time to do your own research and find out what your chosen factoring company’s policy is. You also need to know if this will change from load to load or if the same policy applies to all your customers and all freight bills. p> Regarding deposits, some freight factoring services do require deposits, while others don’t. Again, before you finalize any contract with a Trucking Freight Factoring company, be very sure that you know exactly what you’re signing up for. p>